February 21, 2001
Trenton,
NJ — In an effort to focus the county’s attention on the continuing dangers
of domestic violence, four indictments were returned today in the cases of James
C. Davis, James Hand, Thomas LaSalle and Jason Onyszczuk, Mercer County
Prosecutor Daniel G. Giaquinto announced.
James C. Davis (DOB 8/11/71) was indicted today on charges that he shot and killed
his former girlfriend, Natalie Williams, and attempted to kill her mother, Wanda
Williams. In addition to the murder
and attempted murder charges, Davis, of the first block of Fillmore Avenue in
Trenton, was also indicted on aggravated sexual assault, criminal sexual contact
and weapons charges.
Natalie
Williams, 21, of the first block of Eisenhower Avenue in Trenton, was sexually
assaulted at knifepoint by Davis in the early morning hours of December 7, 2000
at her home. The defendant returned
to the house later that day and an argument ensued.
Davis shot Natalie in the head and then chased her mother, Wanda, out
into the street and shot her in the neck.
Davis
turned himself in to Trenton police on December 14, 2000.
He is currently being held in the Mercer County Corrections Center in
lieu of $3 million bail. Assistant
Prosecutor Tom Meidt presented the case to the grand jury.
“Today,
Davis was indicted for knowing and purposeful homicide committed by his own
conduct, which opens the possibility of a capital referral,” Giaquinto said.
“The decision on whether to seek the death penalty will be announced no
later than at the time of arraignment.
If
convicted and the death penalty is not sought, Davis could face a maximum
sentence of life in prison, required to spend at least 30 years in prison
without parole.
James Hand (DOB 5/4/67), whose last known address is the 5200 block of Windsor
Regency in East Windsor, was indicted today on a first-degree murder charge in
the October 2000 death of his wife, Lori Ann Petrone Hand, 34, a Lawrence
native.
James
Hand allegedly struck wife during the course of an argument on October 4, 2000
at their East Windsor home. The
defendant then put his wife’s body in the closet, where it remained for
several days. The defendant then
moved the body to the trunk of his car and drove to eastern Pennsylvania, where
he proceeded to abandon it.
Lori
Hand was reported missing by her mother and sister on October 10, 2000,
prompting an investigation by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office and the
East Windsor police. Her body was
found on December 28, 2000 in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area,
national park a few miles southwest of Milford, Pa.
James
Hand was charged with his wife’s murder on January 3, 2001.
At the time he was charged, Hand was being held in the Pike County Jail
in Hawley, Pa. on an unrelated parole violation.
Currently, Hand is being held in the Mercer County Corrections Center in
lieu of $1 million bail.
Assistant
Prosecutor Tom Meidt presented the case to the grand jury.
If convicted, Hand could face a maximum sentence of life in prison,
required to spend at least 30 years in prison without parole.
“Domestic
violence cases are particularly sad and egregious because they involve violence
committed against victims made vulnerable by their relationships,” Giaquinto
said. “The matters indicted today
are our top prosecutorial priority.”
Jason Onyszczuk
(DOB12/7/76) was indicted today on two counts of aggravated assault.
Onyszczuk, of the 300 block of Cleveland Avenue in Trenton, was also
indicted on charges of unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a
weapon for an unlawful purpose.
Trenton
police arrested Onyszczuk Christmas morning at his mother’s Genesee Street
home in Trenton. He allegedly broke
into the house early Christmas morning and demanded money from his mother,
Martha Leonard. When she refused,
they argued until Onyszczuk pulled a knife and stabbed her in the left arm.
He proceeded to grab her by the hair and pull her down the stairs, where
he began punching her and slamming her head into the wall.
Assistant
Prosecutor Kevin McManimon presented the case to the grand jury.
Onyszczuk
is currently being held in the Mercer County Corrections Center in lieu of
$150,000 bail. If convicted, he
could face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
“As
this case demonstrates, spouses and partners are not the only ones who suffer
from incidents of domestic violence. Siblings
and parents are also frequent victims,” Giaquinto said.
“No
one should have to endure this type of abuse,” he continued.
“Particularly a mother, whose love for a child is often so deep she
would bear any burden.”
Thomas LaSalle (DOB 7/23/68) was indicted today for the attempted murder of his
wife. LaSalle, whose last known
address is the 100 block of Wyndham Place in Robbinsville, was also indicted on
aggravated assault and weapons charges.
The
Washington Township police arrested LaSalle on October 16, 2000.
He is accused of repeatedly stabbing his 30-year-old wife in the chest
during the course of an argument at their Robbinsville home late that evening.
Assistant
Prosecutor Stephanie Katz presented the case to the grand jury.
LaSalle
was released on $150,000 bail on October 27.
Although his wife is currently undergoing rehabilitation, her condition
remains serious. If convicted,
LaSalle could face a maximum sentence of 10 – 20 years in prison.
“Despite
all of the advances in public education, we can’t afford to let our guard
down. Domestic violence is a
continuing and real problem that the public needs to focus its attention on,”
Giaquinto said. “Any victims of
an abusive relationship should seek help immediately.”